Analysis of cause mechanism of desertification in headwater area of Yellow River

The cause of desertification is one of important parts in desertification research.Based on spatial pattern of physical environment and socioeconomic status,the causes of desertification in the headwater area of the Yellow River are discussed using geographical information system and remote sensing.The result indicates that the fragile ecological environment makes the region to have higher risk of desertification,the drier and warmer climatic changes since 1980s intensify the wind erosion and makes desertified land expansion,the human activities such as overgrazing and grassland rodent make the grassland degradation and result in the desertification intension.As a result,the desertification intensification in the headwater area of the Yellow River is resulted from physical and socioeconomic factors.Therefore,in order to control desertification effectively,we should not only deeply understand the physical environment factors,but also pay more attention to human activities resulting in desertification in the headwater area of the Yellow River.